Little Charmer
The arctic ground squirrels in Alaska are charming and curious. They are also an important part of this ecosystem, serving as a food source for many other species. They also have unique physiological characteristics. According to the National Park Service, “Researchers at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks have shown that during hibernation, arctic ground squirrels adopt the lowest body temperature ever measured in a mammal. The body temperature of hibernating squirrels drops below freezing, a condition referred to as supercooling. At intervals of two to three weeks, still in a state of sleep, hibernating squirrels shiver and shake for 12 to 15 hours to create heat that warms them back to a normal body temperature of about 98 degrees Fahrenheit. When the shivering and shaking stops, body temperature drops back to the minimal temperature. This type of hibernation is rare among mammals and scientists are still studying this unique physiological behavior.” Denali National Park, Alaska. Photo © copyright by Sarah Marino and Ron Coscorrosa.